Transport Graphics enters contract to buy Glenstone site

Transport Graphics Inc. is transporting its business to North Glenstone Avenue in 2008.

Owners Linda and Ken Walker are under contract to buy the 40,000-square-foot building at 836 N. Glenstone Ave., and renovations are ongoing. The sale is expected to close Dec. 31, but details of the transaction were not disclosed.

The seven-acre property - owned by the Montgomery family - was most recently occupied by George & Joann's Collectibles & Antique Mall, which moved to 555 S. Kansas Expressway in August after nearly five years at the spot.

Founded in 1991, Springfield-based Transport Graphics uses sophisticated digital technology to produce graphic advertising, primarily vinyl vehicle wraps. Transport Graphics is perhaps best known for its fleet advertising, which includes American flag-themed trailers for locally based relief agency Convoy of Hope, but Ken Walker said the company also prepares custom packages for sports cars and pickups and offers short-run printing. About 80 percent of Transport Graphics' customers are regional, but the company's clientele reaches nationwide, he said.

The growing business has been housed at 1401 E. Trafficway for 17 years, and now occupies 9,000 square feet of leased space there, Walker said.

"We've basically been out of room for about three years," he said. "It's kept us from growing like we want to grow and meet the needs of our customers. And when we don't meet the need of our customers, it allows the competitors to get stronger."

The company, which employs nearly 20, has been looking to expand for at least five years and the North Glenstone property was a perfect fit, Walker said.

"We will depend on the visibility of the new location," he added. "We're moving to a drive-by location, and I fully expect people to say, 'I'll wheel in there and see if I can get something done.'"

Walker said he expected the prominent location along one of Springfield's busiest traffic arteries to prove as effective as "at least one outside salesperson, possibly two." On the staffing front, Walker said Transport Graphics plans to hire a couple of salespeople and two production employees in conjunction with the move.

The Walkers have long had their eye on the antique mall building and decided to make an offer on the property, which Ken Walker said has an untapped potential.

After the owners accepted the offer, Walker immediately started prepping the building for an overhaul. In August, he began demolition and has cleared overgrown brush on the property's east side.

Transport Graphics hired Springfield architect Allen Casey to design its new digs, which will include a revamped lobby, high-tech conference room and four extra-wide bays for installation, Walker said. Walton Construction is the general contractor for the renovations, which Walker said would cost between $300,000 and $500,000.

"The lobby we expect to be a real showplace," Walker said, noting that tinted windows that appear black during the day will illuminate the company's work at night.

Walker said the company plans to lease some building space to other tenants, such as a screenprint/embroidery company and possibly an RV repair or pickup accessory shop, down the road.

Transport Graphics expects to reopen at the new location Jan. 2, Walker said.[[In-content Ad]]